DC, short for direct current, electrical systems are installed in the majority of light and medium-size turbine aircraft because they're less expensive, less complex and easier to maintain than the AC (alternating current) electrical systems fitted to larger aircraft. With DC systems, the electrical polarity of the system remains constant. Positive and negative polarity alternates in an AC system.
Jet Aviation has begun building its new FBO and Executive Terminal at Düsseldorf International Airport, which it expects will be operational by May. Until then the company provides FBO services at Düsseldorf from its maintenance facility nearby. The new two-story building complies with the latest air security requirements, which took effect in January, and customers and crews will have in-house immigration and customs services.
Dr. Frederick E. Tilton was installed as the new Federal Air Surgeon on Feb. 15. For the past six years Tilton has served as deputy federal air surgeon under Jon L. Jordan, M.D., who has retired. The federal air surgeon oversees the Office of Aerospace Medicine's workforce of more than 400 physicians, scientists, nurses, program analysts, including the Civil Aerospace Medical Institute (CAMI). He also oversees more than 5,000 private physicians who administer FAA medical exams as designated medical examiners. Just before joining the FAA in 1999, Dr.
The quasi-public Transportation Review Board recently released Special Report 285, "The Fuel Tax and Alternatives for Transportation Funding," that suggests that fuel taxes can remain the primary funding source for the nation's highways for at least another decade. But it said eventually replacing them with a system for metering road use and charging accordingly could benefit travelers and the public.
LINGERING LIKE A HUGE toxic cloud in the airspace over Washington, D.C., and its environs is a man-made menace to aviators, an Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ). Thick with restrictions, and the most serious of consequences for those who happen to violate them, the ADIZ has been a menace to both local and transient pilots since it first drifted in some two and a half years ago.
When the U.S. Department of Transportation recently released its $65.6 billion FY2007 budget with $13.7 billion for FAA - it contained several well-calculated shortfalls that the Bush Administration is certain will be refilled by Congress in the House-Senate Conference Committee. Notably and ominously, the DOT budget requests $100 million for a pilot program to test the viability of alternatives to the gasoline fuel tax for financing highway construction and managing road congestion.
Dr. Walter Comeaux, a former member of the HAI's board of directors, is the recipient of the 2005 Lawrence D. Bell Memorial Award for excellence in management leadership and dedication to service to the civil helicopter industry.
FlightWorks added a second Gulfstream G450 to its managed charter fleet. Both G450s are operated by FlightWorks and based in the Southeast. Each jet seats up to 14 passengers and, with a range of nearly 4,400 nm, is ideal for destinations in the Southern Hemisphere. FlightWorks has facilities in Atlanta, Jacksonville, and Washington, D.C. For more information visit www.flightworks.com.
First of, I would like to thank Fred George and B&CA for writing an objective article regarding the current MU-2 situation ("What's Wrong With the MU-2?" February, page 40). This is investigative journalism of the highest integrity. The great thing about this country is that people are entitled to voice their opinions without fear of prosecution. I put emphasis on the word "opinion." Unfortunately, sometimes people take opinions out of context.
"We are much further ahead than we were a year or two ago," NBAA's Doug Carr asserts, concerning the state of business aviation security, while TSA's Rob Rottman places overall general aviation security "light years ahead," compared to pre-9/11/01.
Writing is a lonely activity, which is not to say it's unpleasant - though at times it can be excruciatingly so - but rather that it does not lend itself to group participation. Almost everything about the work, including its depth, style, accuracy and significance, relies on the talent and integrity of the writer. Yes, the finished product usually involves a team of editors, artists and production specialists, but at the core of it all is the writer, working alone. And thankfully, at B&CA's core, we have some great ones.
The AOPA said it supports the latest EPA decision that airport fuel trucks do not need to be surrounded by a secondary spill containment system when they are not moving - and that fuel truck parking areas need not be surrounded by a containment structure such as a wall or berm. "Fuel trucks spend most of their time in transit or refueling aircraft and very little time stationary in staging areas," said Rob Hackman, AOPA manager of regulatory and certification policy.
Charter broker Gold Jets purchased New World Jet Corp., an FAR Part 135 operation with 30 aircraft on its certificate, from Kern Mattei, a New Mexico businessman, in exchange for an interest in Gold Jets. Bruce M.
Eclipse Aviation Corp. has won the 2005 Robert J. Collier Trophy for the year's "greatest achievement in aeronautics or astronautics in America." The 95 year-old award, among aviation's most prestigious, will be presented to the company "for leadership, innovation, and the advancement of general aviation" - or more specifically, for the conception, design, construction and certification of the Eclipse 500, the original very light jet.
Flight Options, LLC, Cleveland, announced that S. Michael Scheeringa is the new CEO. Ray Bennett has been appointed to the position of vice president of sales.
Concerns about the continuing airworthiness of older general aviation aircraft have led FAA officials to schedule a summit on aging aircraft safety later this month. The public meeting, which is slated for March 22 and 23 in suburban Kansas City, is to focus on developing ways to mitigate the potential effects of fatigue, corrosion and deterioration on aging aircraft.
Effective Jan. 1, factory product support for Gulfstream IIs and IIIs was officially transferred from Gulfstream Service Centers to the facilities of General Dynamics Aviation Services (GDAS). According to company officials, this move gives operators of the early model Gulfstream business jets a higher priority for service than if they took their aircraft to Gulfstream service centers, which support newer Gulfstreams as well.
Bombardier's Challenger 605 made its first flight Jan. 22. The aircraft departed from Bombardier's Montreal-Trudeau International Airport facility under clear conditions at 1240 EST and returned at 1603 EST. It reached a maximum altitude of 41,000 feet, and a maximum true airspeed of 420 knots. Loaded with 12,500 pounds of fuel, takeoff weight for the flight was 38,734 pounds. The flight was conducted as a stage climb to 41,000 feet. "It was a great flight. We spent over three hours in the air and the aircraft performed superbly," commented Capt. Frank Magnusson.
Bombardier Flexjet, the launch customer for the Bombardier Learjet 40XR, has put its first three aircraft into service and will take delivery of an additional four Model 40XRs this year. The newest version of the light business jet, the 40XR can fly farther out of challenging airfields under hot and high conditions, has faster time-to-climb performance and reduced flight times vs. its predecessor.
"Sport Pilot TV" has debuted on The Men's Channel, a cable television network owned and distributed by The Networks Group (TNG) of Turner Media. The program profiles companies and aviators around the country and takes viewers on flights throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico and the Bahamas. The show will also focus on promoting aviation education, including tips on selecting the right flight school and instructor and homebuilt aircraft profiles. For more information see www.sportpilottv.com.
The twin-engine Czech turboprop, Evektor EV-55, has been named "Outback" by its Czech manufacturers to reflect its utility design. The manufacturer says it is sticking to the original schedule of first flight in mid-2007, FAA and EASA certification in 2008, with first customer deliveries slated for 2009. The basic Evektor EV-55 Outback STOL is priced at $1.7 million.
Bombardier is taking a giant step back from its CSeries airliner program. On Jan. 31, the company said that instead of proceeding with the 110- to 135-seat twinjets, it will focus on "regional jet and turboprop aircraft opportunities" in the 80- to 100-seat market. A small team will remain with the CSeries program to refine its business plan, with emphasis on finding partners.
Despite the high-tech wonder, super plush interiors and flawless, high-polish liveries of modern business aircraft, working on them is still a dirty job. Brake dust, ramp grime, turbine exhaust, plus grease, oil and hydraulic fluids combine to make getting good and grubby a fact of life for maintenance technicians. As a maintenance manager, you want your technicians to present a professional appearance, but still be safe, comfortable and get the job done.
The Italian government has exercised an option to purchase 15 additional upgrade kits to enhance its entire fleet of Bombardier 415 aircraft. Italy had previously ordered one kit for installation on the Bombardier 415 firefighter it purchased in 2005. The upgrade kit package is derived from the Bombardier 415MP multipurpose aircraft and includes autopilot, nose radar, flight data recorder (FDR) and cockpit voice recorder (CVR).
